"We are excited with the challenge of assembling and manufacturing affordable bicycles in the United States," said Arnold Kamler, CEO & chairman of Kent International. "We feel that we have found a great partner in the state of South Carolina with their pro-business policies and an abundant pool of great workers."
Part of Walmart's US. Manufacturing initiative, the U.S. production of Kent's bicycles will allow the company to deliver them to stores in a 90 percent assembled condition, raising assembly efficiency for in-store personnel. In addition to Walmart, the company is a major supplier to Toys R Us, Amazon and Academy Sporting Goods. Bikes from the plant will be the first sold by Walmart that were assembled in the United States.
Kent supplies more than 1,000 stores nationwide, including Academy Sporting Goods, Amazon, Big 5 Sporting Goods, Dunham Sports, SamClub.com, Target, Toys R Us and Walmart. Walmart disclosed the South Carolina project Wednesday during the annual U.S. Conference of Mayors Meeting in Washington, D.C., where the retailer also announced a new, $10 million fund for innovation in American manufacturing.
"If we want to grow manufacturing and help rebuild America's middle class, we need the brightest minds in our universities, in our think tanks, and in our towns to tackle obstacles to U.S. manufacturing," said Walmart U.S. President and CEO Bill Simon. "The $10 million fund will identify and award leaders in manufacturing innovation and help us all work together to create opportunity."
Kent International is the third Walmart supplier announcing a new facility in South Carolina since August 2013.
"Those that have already taken the risk to move or expand manufacturing in the U.S. tell us they are experiencing a first-mover advantage significant leg-up in terms of market-share and momentum," added Simon. "Kent Bicycles is taking the opportunity to become one of those first-movers with its facility in South Carolina."
